Grain Guide 2018

Photo 4 Dr Hendrik Smith, conservation agriculture facilitator, Grain SA For more information, contact Dr Wayne Truter at wayne.truter@up.ac.za , Prof Chris Dannhauser at admin@GrassSA.co.za , Dr Hendrik Smith at hendrik.smith@grainsa.co.za , or Mr Gerrie Trytsman at gtrytsman@arc.agric.za . In the growing season, at the same time as maize (as intercrop)  Non-creepers (like cowpea, bush- Mucuna or velvet bean) or creepers (dolichos lablab and velvet bean) can be sown two to eight weeks after maize was planted.  Later plantings have a smaller impact on maize yield.  The earlier the cover crop is sown, the greater is the soil protection and weed suppression obtained.  In small-scale systems, intercrops are also planted as source of food, for example dry beans or cowpeas and their residues can also be used for animal feed (see Photo 4 ). 29 Aim and guidelines for the use of cover crops During the growing season of cash crops (as green fallow system)  Crops like babala, fodder sorghum, sunflower, cowpeas, soybeans, mung beans, dolichos lablab, velvet bean, sun hemp and jack bean can be used (see Photo 3 ).  The time of termination depends on the need to store or preserve groundwater for the next crop. 31 Seed